Ball return mechanism for bowling pin setting machines



R. E. RUNDELL EI'AL 2,470,052 BALL RETURN MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 30, 1942 N NTOR RT E. RUNDELL 30, 1949. R. E. RUNDELL EIAL 7 BALL RETURN MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 30, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 3

Q Q INVENTOR RUPERT E. RUNDELL H GQUIST.

May )1, 194$. R. E. RUNDELL ETAL BALL RETURN MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 30, 1942 GQU ST RUPERT E. RJNDELL GUSTAF E. BY 1 ATTORNEY R. E. RUNDELL ETAL 2,470,052 BALL RETURN MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES May 1%, 1949.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 30, 1942 Q Q n? INVENTOR RUPERTE. RUNDELL ATTORN E y 1949. R. RUNDELL EI'AL 2,470,052

BALL RETURN MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 30, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 2/4 9 9 6 a L 20a. J

FIG. 9 2/2 '/'-\\I f y 4 206%" a A2 64 INVENTOR RUPERT E. RuNoELL GUSTAF HAG UIST BY I ATTORNEY Patented May 10, 1949 BALL RETURN MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Rupert E. Rundell, Rockville Centre, and Gustaf E. Hagquist, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignors to American Machine and Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application October 30, 1942, Serial No. 463,922

37 Claims. (Cl. 273-49) This invention relates to bowling ball return devices and more particularly to bowling ball returns adapted for use with automatic and semiautomatic bowling pin setting machines, and has for its prime object a decrease in the amount of time required for returning a ball to a player in order that a game may be played with as little interruption as possible due to time lost between the throwing of a ball and its return to a player.

The invention aims to improve existing bowling ball returns in that it takes into consideration the fact that when gravity alone is employed in returning balls, the. rapidity with which a ball travels from the pit end of an alley where it is placed upon the ball return runway to the player adjacent the head of the alley depends upon the motion imparted to the ball by the pin boy if pins are set by hand, or if a machine is used for setting pins, generally a lag in the return of a ball to the player arises because of the failure to provide positive means for efiecting the return of the'ball in a minimum amount of time.

This invention relates, therefore, to bowling ball return mechanism, and more especially to returns designed for use with automatic bowling pin setting machines. It is so constituted that it can be used for single alleys or with two or more alleys in any desired combination. For instance, two alleys can be positioned side by side with a common return running between the two alleys or two or more alleys can be located in conventional manner with the ball return running along one of the alleys in which case the ball is delivered to the runway from each of the several machines by means of a connecting runway extending transversely of the several machines and alleys adjacent the pit ends thereof and connecting with the runway extending along the one alley.

The mechanism of the present invention. is readily adapted for use with a bowling pin setting machine of the type shown in co-pending Rundell application, Serial No. 260,901, filed March 10, 1939, for Bowling pin setter, now Patent 2,388,707,v granted November 13, 1945, and with mechanism such as disclosed in Hagquist patent, No. 2,293,018, granted August 11, 1942, for Pit elevator for bowling pin setting machines, in which transverse ball mounted in the bowling pin setting machine and positioned above the pit of an alley receive a ball at any point-theralong and deliver it to a runway which parallelsthe alley. It has been found that this method of returning balls to the delivery supports runway may slow the play of the game to some extent and for that reason it is an object of our invention to provide positively actuated ball moving means for accelerating the movement of balls along the transverse ball supports in order to expedite the movement of a ball from the machine, and thereby hasten its delivery to the ball return runway.

It is also'an object of our invention to provide means for expediting the ejection of a ball from a bowling pinsetting machine and also accelerating its movement along the ball return runway oto the head of an alley in a minimum amount of time.

It is a further object of our invention to provide an improved ball return mechanism for expediting the removal of balls from a bowling pin settingmachine by delivering the ball to a point where its forward travel is practically at a standstill, and then applying a positive forward motion to the ball in an entirely difierent direction to impart thereto accelerated movement for return to an awaiting player.

It is a further object of our invention to provide improved ball handling mechanism operated in conjunction with a bowling pin setting machine which comes into operation after a ball has been delivered to ball supports-extending transversely of a bowling pin setting machine and causes the ball to move by motion in addition to that imparted thereto by gravity in order that the ball may be returned to a player with as little delay as possible.

It is a further object of our invention to provide means either forming a part of a runway or coacting therewith for accelerating the movement of a ball placed thereon so that it will be delivered from a position adjacent the pit end of an alley to the head end in a more positive manner, and thereby eliminate delays in the return of a ball to a player, especially in cases where our novel ball return is used with automatic or semi-auto matic bowling pin setting machines.

It is an additional object of our invention to provide an improved ball handling and return mechanism which finds an especial use in an automatic or semi-automatic bowling pin setting machine wherein balls removed from the pit of a bowling alleyare moved with accelerated motion from the machine, delivered to a gravity return runway and when located thereon subjected to positive forceful movement for increasing the speed of travel of balls along the runway in order to expedite the return of such balls to the head of a bowling alley.

Our invention is further characterized by improved mechanism for handling bowling balls, which mechanism is adapted to be coordinated with the operations of automatic or semi-automatic mechanism of a bowling pin setting machine and wherein balls placed on return devices in such machine are removed more rapidly from the machine and returned along the runway to a player in as short a time as possible.

It a further object of our invention to provide an improved ball return device for use with two or more bowling alleys wherein balls are delivered from two or more automatic or semi-automatic bowling pin setting machines set into operation substantially simultaneously to a ball return runway in proper timed relation without damage to the balls, and wherein such balls are moved with accelerated motion along the runway to the heads of the alleys. I

Our invention also consists in the provision of improved bowling ball return mechanism for use with bowling pin setting machines,.which machines are provided with transverse ball supports adapted to receive balls removed from the pits of alleys, and means for expediting the movement of balls along the supports to the ball return runway; the ball return runway being provided with driven conveying means for imparting positive forward travel to each ball placed thereon as it issues from a bowling pin setting machine.

Each of the various elements of the combination is in itself capable of change and modification and certain of the devices employed therein may be used independently of others or by themselves, or they may be replaced by other equivalent mechanisms. However, the mechanism in its preferred form includes means for controlling and coordinating the operation of such devices and for purposes of illustration the invention is shown in the drawings as including preferred combinations of elements which have been found in practice to be practical and serviceable.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and wherein the same reference characters designate the same or like elements:

Figure 1 is a partial sectional side elevation of our improved ball return mechanism taken on line l-l of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a partial end elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial plan view taken on.line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a partial side view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a side view of a modified form of our invention as seen from line 5-5 of Figure 6;

Figure 6 is an end view of the mechanism shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a plan view of one form of device used in accelerating the removal of balls from two alleys placed side by side;

Figure 8 is a view taken on line 8-8 of Figure '7;-

Figure 9 is a view taken on line 8-9 of Figure '7; and

Figure 10 is a view showing diagrammatically and schematically certain driving connections for operating the mechanism shown in Figures 5 and 6.

In the drawings Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 disclose a preferred form of our invention in which for purposes of illustration the bowling. ball return mechanism is adapted for use with a bowling pin setting machine of the type shown in Rundell Patent 2,388,707, above referred to. I, 2, 3 and 4 designate uprights forming a part of the pin setting mechanism, which in the case illustrated consists of two machines mounted on two alleys arranged side by side with a conventional ball return runway of the gravity type located between the two alleys, and serving as a common means for the return of balls to the playing position adjacent the heads of the alleys. Cross member 5 connects the uprights I, 2, 3 and 4 and longitudinal members 1 form a part of the framework of the machine. As indicated partly diagrammatically in Figure 3 the bowling pin setting machines are mounted above the pits P of the alleys A, and are so arranged that balls can be lifted by suitable means L (Figure 5) which may be of the type shown in Hagquist Patent No. 2,293,018, granted August 11, 1942. Balls from the alley pits are placed on inclined gravity return guide rails 8, 8 so that balls gravitate from one side of each machine towards the other (Figure 3) and roll onto the common return runway designated generally l0 between the two machines. In the form illustrated, guide rails 6, 8 are mounted above the pit of the bowling alley in the same manner as disclosed in the above referred to Hagquist patent.

In the form of our invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, each set of ball guide rails 5, 8 has associated therewith an elongated rotating spiral conveyor l2 or l4 adapted to engage a ball as soon as it arrives on the transverse guide rails '6, 8 and impart thereto movement in addition to that caused by gravity so that each ball will move with greater rapidity out of the machine regardless of where it is initially deposited on rails 6, 8, and be delivered as soon as possible onto the return runway mechanism ill for return to the heads of the alleys. Conveyor l2 or i4 may be made as a single member or a plurality of aligned sections and is provided with spiral threads which engage the ball and propel it along guides 8, 8. As shown, one spiral conveyor is provided for each machine (Figure 3). Spiral conveyor i2 has right-hand threads whereas spiral conveyor l4 has left-hand threads. This difierence in structure is necessary in order that balls in'both machines will be moved properly towards the center of the two alleys for delivery onto the return conveyor iii. Spiral conveyors i2 and N are secured to a shaft i8 by means of set screws l8 and preferably are driven continuously by means of mechanism described hereinafter. The spiral conveyors i2, i4 may be driven singly by suitable driving means (not shown), or by a. common means as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The drive is effected by means of a sprocket 20 secured to shaft i8 which is suitably mounted in bearing brackets 2i and 23 connected to uprights I, 4' and plate 5. A sprocket chain 22 runs on sprocket 20 and sprocket 24. The latter is attached by set screw 28 to one end of the shaft 28. The ends of shaft 28 are mounted in bearing brackets 30 secured to uprights l and 2. At one end shaft 28 is provided with a sprocket l2 tracked by a sprocket chain 34 running on a sprocket 36 fast to a shaft 38 journalled in a box bracket 40 secured by screws 42 to a bracket 44 fastened by screws 45 to upright 2 (Figures 1 and 2). Shaft 38 also carries a bevel gear 48 meshing with a bevel gear 48 fixed to shaft 50 also iournalled in box bracket 40, which shaft is provided with a pulley 52 driven by a belt 54 from a suitable moto (not shown). Pulley 52 preferably is, continuously driven in order that spiral conveyors l2, l4 may at all times be operating and ready to remove or assist in the removal of balls from the bowling pin setting machines of which they form a part to the return runway mechanism l8, although if desired the pulley 52 may be operated intermittently by suitable mechanism not shown).

Also fastened to shaft 50 is a pulley 56 which is tracked by a belt 58 driving a pulley 68 loosely mounted on shaft 62. Pulley 60 is provided with a pin 64 to which is attached one end of a coil spring 66 encircling the hub of a collar member 68 secured to shaft 62 and to which collar member the other end of spring 66 is fastened at 69. While it is possible to drive shaft 62 directly from pulley 56, we prefer to use the spring mechanism described hereinabove in order to obtain a quick acceleration of a ball as'it arrives on the runway for delivery therealong.

The ball conveyor mechanism in addition, to the conventional downwardly inclined gravity section H also consists of two parallel elongated rotating spiral members 10, 12 located adjacent the discharge openings in the bowling pin setting machines (not shown). These members are positioned so as to receive each ball as it is ejected from the machine by means of rails 6, 8 alone or by means of rails 6, 8 and transverse spiral member l2 or M, and then propel such ball with positive force onto. the runway section II. The members 18, I2 can be made froma plurality of aligned sections or a single elongated section (Figure 3). Spiral conveying members 18, 12 are fastened to shafts 62 and 63, respectively, which shafts are journalled in bearing brackets 13, 14. Driving of shaft 63 is effected from shaft 62 by means of a sprocket 6| fastened to shaft 62 and a sprocket 65 secured to shaft 63, both of which are tracked by a chain 61.

By means of the mechanism just described, whenever a ball ejected from a bowling pin setting machine lands upon spiral conveyor members 18, 12, its forward travel is practically zero, and the latter, which are rotating continuously, will cause the ball to be raised and lowered by imparting thereto a hopping efiect until the ball is properly positioned between the spirals which are designed to fit the curve of the ball. The weight of the ball is such that in the meantime the motion of the spirals has decreased to a point such that coil spring 66 is wound up upon the hub of collar member 68, and finally when a ball is properly positioned between the spirals of conveyor members 18, 72, the stored up tension in the spring becomes greater than the inertia of the ball. Spiral conveyor members l8, 12 are then rotated by the unwinding of the spring at a greater rate than normal. The ball, therefore, has imparted to it a positive driving force by the now rapidly rotating spirals which propel the ball forwardly therealong onto the guide rail portion H of the runway mechanism I8 for accelerated movement back to the playing position of the alley. Hence, the movement of the ball is caused by gravity due to the downwardly inclined portion H of the return runway, and the positive drive set up by the operation of the spiral conveyor members 18, 12 so that the ball is returned with great rapidity to the playing end of the alley. Any suitable ball braking mechanism, such for instance as that shown in Patent No. 2,236,560 to Bancroft may be employed for stopping the movement of the ball at the head of an alley.

In Figures 5 and 6 which show a modified form of our invention, uprights 2, 3 and 4 are connected by means of cross channel 16, and longitudinal members 18 fixed to uprights 2, 3 at one end and supported by vertical channel members at their other end form a. part of the return runway, designated generally I0. As in the case of the mechanism described hereinabove. balls are lifted from the pit P of a bowling alley A by means of apron L fixed to roller R and slide member S, all constructed and operated in a manner similar to that described in the Hagquist patent, above referred to. Balls'are lifted from the pit of an alley at proper times and delivered to rails 6, 8 for delivery from a bowling pin setting machine onto the ball return conveyor mechanism H). The mechanism shown in Figures 5 and 6 is designed primarily for use with machines mounted on two side by side alleys having a common ball return therebetween, and for that reason transverse ball supports 6, 8- in each machine are usually inclined downwardly towards the space between the two machines (Figure 6) in order to direct balls onto the return runway mechanism Hi. In this way one ball after the other, whether they be from the one or both machines, will be placed upon the return runway mechanism l8 and delivered to the head ends of the alleys.

Since it is desirable that the time taken for returning a ball be a minimum in order that play may be continued smoothly or without delay, means has been provided for accelerating the removal or otherwise assisting in the ejection of balls from a machine to the return mechanism I0. For that reason each machine is provided with an auxiliary ball forwarding member designated generally 82. This mechanism consists of a. plate 84 having a face inclined downwardly in the direction of travel of a ball out of the machine. Plate 84 preferably is mounted closely adjacent the ball support rail 6 and provided with an inclination greater than that of the ball support rail 6. Plate mechanism 82 also assists materially in breaking up jams of pins if any should tend to lodge between rails 6, 8 and obstruct the passage of a ball therealong. This is due to the upward movement of plate 84 past rail 6 so that stuck pins are shifted and can fall freely between rails 6, 8 into a pin receiving chamber (not shown) not forming a part of this invention.

Plate 84 is supported resiliently at two points on levers 86 provided with arms 88 mounting pins 80 about which are positioned springs 82 also encircling pins 94 carried by plate 84 in order to hold the springs in proper relationship with the underside of the plate 84 resting upon the springs. Plate 84 is fixed for relative motion with respect to levers 86 by means of shoulder screws 96 passing through elongated slots formed in the plate and threaded into levers 86. Through this connection plate 84 can have relative motion with respect to levers 86, and thereby exert a yielding upward pressure upon a ball positioned on rails 6, 8 so that as levers 86 are rocked on fulcrum shaft 81, by means of cams 98 engaging cam followers I80 secured to levers 86 each ball is lifted from rail 6 and ejected more rapidly from the machine because of the greater incline of the active face of plate 84. Shaft 81 which mounts levers 86 is suitably secured in uprights 8, 4 and provided with collars 89 which maintain levers 86 positioned in-proper working relation with respect to cams 98 mounted on shaft I8I journalled in bearings I83 fixed to the same uprights. A reference to Figure 10 shows that shaft IN is driven in timed relation with the movement of apron L which removes balls from the pit P of the alley A and delivers them to the guide rails 6, 8 so that after a ball has been positioned on these rails the high portions of cams 88 come into operation to move plate 84 to its operative position with respect to rail 6. In order to assure the proper timed operation of the apron L and the ascending and descending rail plate 84, the bottom of the pit P is provided with a hinged supporting plate 244 (Figure equipped with a spring 246 employed for the purpose of normally separating two contact points 248 and 258, the former of which is attached to plate 244 while the latter is secured to the floor of the pit. The hook-up is such that when a ball lands in the pit, the weight of said ball causes a lowering of the supporting plate 244 and thereby effects a contact of points 248 and 258 and closing of a circuit which energizes solenoid 252 operating a one-revolution clutch 254, of any conventional type such as a Bliss one-revolution clutch attached to sprocket 256 which by means of chain 258 and sprocket 268 is driven continuously by the main shaft 236. By energizing clutch 254 shaft I8I is set into rotation and the operation of the rail plate 84 is effected in proper timed relation with the other operating parts of the pin setting machine with which this mechanism is associated.

- The yieidingly mounted ejecting plates 84 may be used alone or in conjunction with other positively actuated ball handling mechanism. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, an auxiliary ball ejecting or rolling unit, designated generally I82, is positioned above the rails 6, 8. Frame members I84, I86 secured to uprights 3, 4, in any suitable manner, support spaced plates I88 in which are journalled shafts II8, I I2 mounting pulleys H4, H6, respectively. These pulleys preferably are tracked by a V belt II8 arranged to engage the top of a ball placed on the rails 6, 8, so that as plate 84 is moved by means of cams 98 to lift a ball on rail 6, the top of the ball is brought into frictional driving relationship with the belt H8 and the ball set into positive rolling motion in addition to the motion imparted by gravity thereto whereby it is moved rapidly out of the machine and onto the return conveyor mechanism I8. Shaft II2, which mounts the driven pulley H6 is provided with a sprocket I28 driven by means of a sprocket chain 122 tracking a sprocket 228 mounted on a shaft 222 (Figure 10) which is driven by a bevel gear 224 meshing with a bevel gear 226 secured to a shaft 228. The latter carries a sprocket 238 driven by means of a chain 232 from a sprocket 234 mounted on the main drive shaft 236 of the pin setter machine. Shaft 236 is constantly rotated by a sprocket 238 driven by means of a chain 248 and a. sprocket 242 from a motor M. The ball rolling unit I82 is the same for each machine and, therefore, it has been thought necessary to describe but one.

If desired, rail 6 need not be inclined, in which case all gravity rolling motion imparted to a ball initially positioned thereon would be caused by the plate 84 as it is raised by means of cams 88. When a ball rolls out of the machine from a position, such as I to position II (as shown in Figure 6), its movement may stop momentarily after which it travels in a direction substantially at right angles to its path of movement out of the pin setting machine. In order to continue the rapid return of balls we have provided means for positively moving each ball along the return runway. In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, a ball lands on spaced endless conveyors I24 traveling on pulleys I26 and I21 mounted on shafts I28, I29 journaled in bearings I88 suitably mounted on longitudinal frame members 18, one end of which is fixed to uprights 2, 8 and the other ends of these members are fixed to vertical supports 88 (Figure 5). Supports I86 connected to longitudinal members 18 carry guide members I38 which extend along the belts adjacent their upper runs and maintain them in proper position with respect to the pulleys and the balls being traveled thereover. Shaft I28 which mounts pulleys I26 is driven by means of a sprocket I48 and sprocket chain I42 from a sprocket I44 mounted on the constantly rotating drive shaft 235 mentioned heretofore (Figure 18).

Each ball arriving on belts I24 is moved forward and delivered to an inclined runway portion 1I forming a part of a conventional type of ball return runway. From this it follows that each ball delivered from the belts I24 onto the inclined portion 1I will have a positive forward motion, which when added to the gravity motion imparted thereto as it rolls down the inclined portion 1I greatly increases its speed and insures its delivery to the playing position of the alley in a minimum of time. In order to impart a more rapid travel to each ball, an auxiliary conveyor, designated generally I54, may be used in conjunction with belts I24 (Figures 5 and 6). This consists of a belt I56 traveling on driving pulley I58 fixed to shaft I68 and a driven pulley I62 mounted on shaft I64.

Shafts I68 and I64 are suitably supported in longitudinal support member I66 pivoted at one end to a pin I61. on a vertical support I68 attached to longitudinal frame member I18. The other end of support IE6 is provided with a vertical rod I12 having one end projecting through an opening in an angle member I14 fixed to a part I16 of the machine frame. A spring I18 enrod I12 support the free end of the rod and allow any adjustments necessary. An adjusting screw I82 having one end mounted in support member I66 and the other end projecting through a hole I84 in shaft I64 is provided with a nut I86 which allows the belt I56 to :be tensioned by adjustment of pulley I62 relative to pulley I58. Bracket I88 and gear box I98 provide bearings for a shaft I82 which mounts a helical gear (not shown) meshing with a gear fixed to shaft I68. Shaft I92 has secured thereto a collar I94 mounting on one face thereof a pin I96 to which is attached one end of a coil spring I98 encircling shaft I82 (Figure 5). The other end of the spring is secured to a pin 288 fixed to the face of the sprocket 282 loosely to the playing end of the alley. Also :because of the relationship between collar I94, sprocket 202 and spring I98 encircling shaft I92 whenever a ball moves from position II to a point where it comes under the influence Of belt I56, spring I98 will be coiled or tensioned about shaft I92 and at that point where the spring tension overcomes the inertia of the ball, the spring will unwind and impart to the belt I56 a quick propelling action which tends to move th ball forward with greater rapidity onto the inclined portion II and thereby lessen the time for its return to the playing position. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the ball return unit I comprising belts I24 and I56 functions to return balls ejected from two bowling pin setting machines and during the operation of'these machines, either singly or jointly balls will arrive on the conveyor belts I24 first from one machine and then from the other. If desired, the positions of the cams on shafts ll of both machines can be so adjusted that one can operate in advance of the other so that in the case where both machines are operating as the result of the substantially simultaneous actuation of the machines due to the rolling of balls down each alley into each pit, the possibility of two balls arriving on the conveyor I24 simultaneously because of the accelerating action of plates 04 is substantially eliminated and danger of denting or chipping balls is practically obviated.

The mechanism shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9 embraces the same operative principle as that shown in Figures 5 and 6 insofar as it pertains to means for expediting the removal of balls from bowling pin setting machines and delivering them to the return runway system 2l0. As shown for purposes of illustration in Figures 7, 8 and 9, however, two machines are adapted to be placed side by side on the alleys which are provided with a common ball return runway 2l0 extending 5 along the outer edge of one of the two alleys being served. According to this arrangement of bowling pin setting machines adjacent the pit ends of alleys A1, As (Figure 7), it may be advisable in the interest of conserving valuable space and adapting existing alleys for installation of bowling pin setting machines to make it possible for a ball from one machine to pass through the other machine as it travels towards the return runway 2I0.

, That is, as shown in Figure 8, the ball indicated in dotted lines at position I will roll along transverse supporting rails 20622, 208 of one machine and rails 206a and 208 of the other machine onto return conveyor 2I0. As in the modification shown in Figures 5 and 6, shafts 81 act as fulcrums for levers 8-6 operated by means of cams (not shown) to raise and lower, plates 84a and 84b to lift the balls from their respective rails 206a and 20Gb in order to subject the ball being removed from the machine to the drive of conveyor 2| 2 which is positioned above rails 206a, 2061) and 208 and thereby accelerate the ejection of balls from one or both machines onto conveyor M8. The mechanism in Figures 7, 8 and 9 for mounting and driving belt 2I2 is to all intents and purposes the same as that illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 described hereina-bove and hence further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

As shown, plates 04a and 041) are overlapped at one end and so arranged with respect to one another that when the machine of which plate 84a forms a part is inoperative, :balls will bereturned from the other machine when plate 84b I moves into operation and lifts a ball from guide rails 2061) and 208. The ball is then rolled by gravity and belt 2I2 along the upper edge of plate 84b down the inclined portion 2 at the end of plate 84b and along rail 206a and out Of the machine onto the return runway 2). If both machines are operating simultaneously, balls will be returned from alley A: by moving directly from the raised plate 84b onto the raised plate 84a and out on the return runway 2I0. If the plate 84a should move down before the ball from alley A2 has been delivered to runway 2I0, the ball will then be returned by rail 206a for the remaining portion of its way across alley A1.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for the particular device, selected to illustrate the invention, is but one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same. It is not, therefore. to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a bowling ball return device for use with bowling alleys, a ball return runway having an elevated ball receiving portion, means on said runway for receiving a ball at one end of an alley and returning said ball to a player at the other end thereof, a conveyor extending along said portion and located at the receiving end of said runway and coacting with said first-named means for imparting positive motion to said ball to move said ball along said runway, mechanism for driving said conveyor, including means for increasing the rate of travel thereof operable as a result of a ball moving thereon, and mechanism for automatically forwarding and guiding a ball to be machine and above the pit of an alley adapted to support balls delivered from the pit of a bowling alley, and a gravity ball return for returning balls to the head of said alley constructed and arranged to receive balls from, said supports; means for accelerating the delivery of balls along said supports to said return, and means associated with said return to accelerate the movement of a ball in addition to its gravity influenced motion and thereby expedite the return of said ball to said head of said alley, said last-named means including a conveyor extending along said return and cooperating therewith; and mechanism for driving said conveyor including means for accelerating the movement of said conveyor when a ball has been deposited thereon to accelerate the movement of said ball along said return.

3. In a bowling ball return device for use with bowling alleys, a ball return runway comprising ball supporting and delivering guides constructed and arranged to extend along a bowling alley from a ball receiving position adjacent the pit end of an alley to the ball return position adjacent the head end of said alley, said guides being provided with a gravity incline portion near said pit end and an upwardly inclined portion near said head end of said alley, positively actuated conveying means located proximate said ball receiving position for delivery down said gravity incline portion for imparting positive accelerated motion to said ball prior to its movement, onto said gravity incline portion of said guides, whereby to accelerate the delivery of a ball to said ball return position, and mechanism for driving,

means for driving said conveyors to accelerate v the movement of said balls onto said rails for movement along said ball return runway.

5. A device for accelerating the return of bowling balls to a player comprising a ball return runway extending along a bowling alley, said ball return runway including spaced guide rails for receiving a ball at the pit end of said alley and delivering the same to a player at the head end of said alley, an endless conveyor located between said rails at said receiving position, an endless conveyor positioned above said first named conveyor and rails, and means for driving said conveyors to accelerate the movement of a ball alongsaid ball return runway.

6. A device for returning bowling balls to the head end of a. bowling alley comprising a ball return runway extending along said alley from a position near the pit end of said alley to said head end, conveying means forming an extension of said ball return runway, means mounting said conveying means for receiving balls and delivering the same to said ball return runway, other conveying means located above said first-named conveying means, and means for driving said conveying means to effect the movement of balls onto said ball return runway.

' 7. In a bowling ball return for use with a bowling alley, a gravity ball return runway extending along said alley, said runway including ball guides, and a continuously operated conveyor, said conveyor including spring operated means for propelling a ball received on said conveyor with accelerated movement along said guides.

8. In a bowling ball return for use with a bowling alley, a ball return runway, guides on said runway constructed and arranged to receive a ball at the pit end of an alley and deliver the same to the head end thereof, conveyors positioned near the pit end of said runway, means for driving aid conveyors, said means including means for normally driving said conveyors at one rate of speed prior to the positioning of a ball thereon, and mechanism for driving said conveyors at a greatly increased rate of speed subsequent to the arrival of a ball on said conveyors to propel a ball along said runway.

9. In a bowling ball return for use with a bowling alley, a ball return runway, guides on said runway constructed and arranged to receive a ball at the pit end of an alley and deliver the shaft and unit for storing spring tension in said I supports and expedite the ejection thereof from unit to effect the desired speed change of said conveyors.

10. In a. bowling ball return for use with bowling alleys, a ball return runway extending along an alley, ball guide means on said ball return runway for receiving a ball near the pit end of said alley and delivering the same to a player at the head of said alley, spaced elongated spiral conveyors forming a part of said ball return runway, means mounting said conveyors at the ball receiving position for receiving a ball, and means for driving said spiral conveyors to advance a ball positioned thereon along said ball return runway.

11. In a bowling pin setting machine having inclined gravity ball removing members extending transversely of said machine above the pit of a bowling alley,a ball return positioned'to receive balls from said members and return the same to a player at the head of said alley, and 'meansfor conveying balls from said pit and delivering the same to said members, an inclined plane movable relative to one of said members, and means for lifting said plane after a ball has been positioned on saidmembers to increase the gravity incline down which said ball travels and thereby accelerate the removal of said ball from said machine to said return.

12. In a bowling pin setting machine having inclined gravity ball removing members extending transversely of said machine above the pit of a bowling alley, a ball return positioned to receive balls from said members and return the same to a player at the head of said alley, and means for conveying balls from said pit and delivering the same to said members, an inclined plane movable relative to one of said members, means for lifting said plane after a ball has been positioned on said members to increase the gravity incline down which said ball travels and thereby accelerate the removal of said ball from said machine to said return, and means coacting with said return for accelerating the movement of said ball therealong to the player.

13. In a bowling pin setting machine having spaced ball supporting members extending transversely across said machine above the pit or a bowling alley, a ball return for returning balls to the head end of said alley, and means for removing balls from said pit and disposing the same on said members, a plate provided with a face inclined downwardly relative to said return, and

means operative after a ball has been positioned on said members for moving said plate to engage said ball and form an incline down which said ball travels to said return.

14. In a bowling pin setting machine of the type having ball supports extending transversely across said machine above the pit of an alley, said supports being constructed and arranged to support bowling balls delivered thereto, and a ball return for returning balls to the player; a ball forwarding device comprising a spiral conveying member positioned above said supports and constructed and arranged to engage balls positioned on said supports, and means for driving said member to displace said balls along said said machine. 1

15. In a bowling pin setting machine installation having a plurality of pin setting machines located side by side upon adjacent alleys, a transverse ball guideway mounted in. said machines above the pits of said alleys, and means for placing bails removed from said pits upon said guide- 13 way for delivering from said machines; mecha nism for accelerating the travel of balls along said guideway, said mechanism comprising movable ball engaging members coacting with said guideway, means for mounting one of said members in each of said machines, and means operative whenever a ball has been placed on said guideway in either or both of said machines for moving a member into engagement with said ball.

16. In a bowling pin setting machine installation having a common ball return guideway, a plurality of bowling pin setting machines located side by side adjacent the pit ends of a plurality of bowling alleys, a transverse ball guideway mounted in said machines and common thereto for delivering balls from said machines to said return guideway, and means for placing balls removed from said pits upon said transverse. guideway; mechanism for accelerating the movement of balls along said transverse guideway, said mechanism comprising auxiliary ball forwarding devices cooperating with said transverse guideway, and means for moving said devices into engagement with balls deposited on said transverse guideway in timed relation during the operation of said machines to expedite the movement of balls along said transverse guideway and onto said return guideway.

17. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at the end of said alley and a, bumper in said pit, ball supports extending transversely across said machine, means mounting said supports above said bumper, a ball return for returning balls to the player, and means for delivering balls from said pit and placing the same on said supports for movement therealong out of said machine; a ball forwarding device comprising an endless conveying member positioned above said supports and constructed and arranged to engage balls positioned on said supports, and means for driving said mem-- ber to travel with and displace said ball along said supports and expedite the ejection thereof from said machine.

18. In a bowling pin setting machine having ball supports extending transversely across said machine above the pit of an alley, said supports being constructed and arranged to support bowling balls delivered thereto, and a ball return for delivering balls to the head of said alley, means for accelerating the ejection of a ball from said machine onto said return, said means including a belt conveyor having a ball engaging lap extending along and coacting with said supports to accelerate the travel of a ball along said supports and out of said machine, and mechanism for accelerating the movement of each ball upon ejection from said machine onto said return along said return and back to the head of said alley.

19. In a bowling pin setting machine installation having a plurality of pin setting machines located side by side upon adjacent alleys, a common transverse ball guideway mounted in said machines above the pits of said alleys, and means for placing balls removed from said pits upon said guideway for delivery from said machines; mechanism for accelerating the travel of balls along said guideway, said mechanism comprising movab e ball engaging members coacting with said guideway, means for mounting one of said members in each of said machines, means operative whenever a ball has been placed on said guideway in either or both of said machines for moving a member into engagement with said ball, and a common ball return runway positioned to receive balls discharged from said guideway for returning said balls to the head ends of said alleys.

20. In a bowling pin setting machine installation having a common ball return guideway. a plurality of bowling pin setting machines located side by side adjacent the pit ends of a plurality of bowling alleys, a transverse ball guideway mounted in said machines and common thereto for delivering balls from said machines to said return guideway, and means for placing balls removed from said pits upon said transverse guideway; mechanism for accelerating the movement of balls along said guideway, said mechanism comprising inclined plane accelerating members, means mounting one of said members in each of said machines, means for moving said members independently and relative to said guideway, and timed mechanism operative to cause the movement of said members'into engagement with balls on said guideway to accelerate the movement thereof through said machines and onto said return guideway.

21. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end thereof, and a bumper mounted in said pit, inclined gravity ball supporting and ejecting guides extending transversely across said machine, means mounting said guides above said bumper, a ball return located exteriorly of said machine and positioned to receive a ball delivered thereto by said guides for return to a player, an auxiliary ball forwarding device mounted for cooperation with said guides, said device being constructed and arranged to engage a ball moving along said guides and means for moving said device relative to said guides and a ball located thereon to accelerate the ejection of said ball from said machine and delivery onto said return.

22. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at the end of said alley and a bumper mounted in said pit, a. ball supporting and delivering guideway extending transversely of said machine for supporting and guiding a ball out of said machine, a ball forwarding device positioned above said guideway and constructed and arranged to engage balls located thereon; and means for driving said device to displace a ball along said guideway and expedite the ejection thereof from said machine.

23. In a bowling pin setting machine, a transverse ball supporting and delivery guideway, means mounting said guideway in said machine above the pit of a bowling alley, a ball return for returning a ball ejected from said machine to a player, and mechanism coacting with said guideway for accelerating the ejection of a ball from said machine onto said return, said mechanism including a belt conveyor having a ball engaging lap extending substantially parallel withsaid guideway, and means for driving said conveyor to accelerate the movement of a ball along said guideway, out of said machine and onto said return.

24. In a bowling pin setting machine installation having a plurality of pin setting machines located side by side upon adjacent bowling alleys. ball guideways mounted in said machines and constructed and arranged to support and eject from said machines balls delivered thereto from the pits of said alleys for return to players at the head end of the alleys, a ball return runway paralleling said alleys, and positively actuated ball forwarding mechanism coacting with said guideways for moving balls along said guideways out of said machines and onto said return runway.

25. In a bowling pin setting machine installation,'the combination with a plurality of bowling alleys, of a plurality of bowling pin setting machines, one machine positioned at the pin supporting end of each alley, a common ball supporting and ejecting guideway extending transverse'y of said machines and positioned above said alleys, a ball return runway located adjacent one of said machines and positioned to receive balls ejected from each machine and delivered thereto by said guideway, and positively actuated mechanism coacting with said guideway for moving 'balls on said guideway onto said runway.

26. In a bowling pin setting machine, guide means for receiving a ball delivered from the pit of a bowling alley and ejecting said ball from said machine, a ball return runway for returning a ball to a player, said runway having a ball receiving portion, 'means mounting said receiving portion in position to receive a ball ejected from said machine by said guide means, and auxiliary ball ejecting mechanism coacting with said guide means for imparting accelerated motion to a ball to expediate the movement of said ball onto said portion of said runway, said mechanism including an endless belt having a lap extending substantially parallel with said guide means and positioned for frictional engagement with a ball on said guide means, and means for driving said belt.

27. In a bowling alley installation, the combination with a plurality of alleys, of a plurality of pin setting machines positioned at the rear ends of said alleys, a common ball guideway extending transversely of said machines and positioned above each alley, means for controlling the passage of balls onto and along said guideway from one machine and through another, and positively actuated ball conveying mechanism coacting with said guideway for expediting the movement of said balls throughand out of said machines.

28. The combination defined in claim 24 wherein said mechanism comprises belt conveyors each having a ball engaging lap extending substantially parallel with said guideways, and means for driving said belts.

29. The combination defined in claim 24 wherein said return runway is mounted between said machines, and said mechanism comprises belt conveyors each having a ball engaging lap extending substantially parallel with said guideways, and means for driving said conveyors in opposite directions to advance balls on said guideways to said return runway.

30. The combination defined in claim 24 wherein said return runway is mounted between said machines, and said mechanism comprises belt conveyors, each of said conveyors having a ball engaging lap extending substantially parallel with said guideways, means for drivingsaid conveyors in opposite directions, and auxiliary conveying means cooperating with said runway for accelerating the movement of balls delivered thereon from said guideways back to the players.

31. The combination defined in claim 2.: wherein said mechanism comprises a belt conveyor having a ball engaging lap extending substantially parallel with said guideway, and means for driving said conveyor to move bails out of said machines and onto said return runway.

32. The combination defined in claim 25 wherein said mechanism comprises a belt conveyor having a, ball engaging lap coacting with said guideway, and means for driving said conveyor to move balls along said guideway out of said machines and onto said runway, and mechanism for con- 16 trolling the movement of balls from one machine through another en route to said runway.

33. In a bowling pin setting machine located adjacent the pit end of a bowling alley having a bumper at the rear end of the pit, and a'ball return runway, spaced substantially elongated ball receiving and conveying members including an elongated spiral conveyor mounted above said pit and bumper, supports mounting said members substantially transversely of said machine, and means for rotating said spiral conveyor to impart a positive conveying movement to a ball for delivering the same onto said return runway.

34. A bowling ball return mechanism for use with a bowling alley having a pin setting machine located at the pit end thereof comprising transversely extending ball guides for delivering a ball to a point of discharge, means mounting said guides in said machine above said pit, a ball return runway located exteriorly of said machine adjacent said point of discharge of a ball from said guides for receiving a bowling ball from said transverse guides at a position proximate the pit end of said alley and delivering said ball to a player at the head end of said alley, said ball return runway being provided with a downwardly sloping gravity incline near said pit end of said alley, positively actuated movable means having an elongated ball engaging surface positioned to engage a ball on said guides at a point spaced from the guides, and extending lengthwise therealong for engaging and accelerating the movement of said ball along said transverse guides out of said machine and directly onto said ball return runway, and conveying means coacting with said runway for accelerating the initial movement of a ball along said ball return runway and onto said downwardly inclined portion thereof for expediting the delivery of said Ball to the player.

35. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pit at one end thereof, and a bumper at the rear of said pit, a transverse ball supporting and delivery guideway for ejecting a ball delivered thereto from said pit to a point of discharge out of said machine for return to the player, means mounting said guideway above said bumper, a ball return positioned adjacent said point of discharge of the ball from said guideway to receive a ball ejected by said guideway from said machine, a movable auxiliary ball ejecting device having an elongated ball engaging portion extending along said guideway and positioned to engage a ball moving along said guideway at a point spaced from said guideway, and means for operating said device to effect movement of said elongated portion relative to said guideway and a ball located thereon to accelerate the movement of said ball along said guideway and the ejection of said ball from said machine onto said return.

36. In a bowling pin setting machine located adjacent the pit end of a bowling alley having a bumper at the rear end of said pit, a laterally inclined ball ejecting guideway, supports mounting said guideway above said bumper and substantially transversely of said machine, said guideway comprising a ball supporting and guid ing member, and-an elongated positively actuated conveyor spaced from said member and positioned to engage a ball. on said guideway at a point spaced from said guideway, a ball return runway positioned to receive a ball directly from said guideway, and means for effecting conveying movement of said conveyor to accelerate the movement of a ball along said guldeway and out of said machine directly onto said runway.

37. In a bowling pin setting machine installation having a plurality of pin setting machines located side by side upon adjacent bowling alleys, each comprising a pit, ball guideways mounted in said machines and constructed and arranged to support and eject from said machines balls delivered thereto from the pits of said alleys for return to players at the head end of the alleys, each machine comprising means for automatically lilting balls from the pit to said guideway, a common ball return runway paralleling said alleys, ball operated means for initiating the operation of each machine, ball engaging means coacting with each of said guideways for positively ejecting balls from said guideways onto said common runway, and means for causing the operation of said ball engaging means successively in predetermined timed relationship when both of said side by side machines are substantially simultaneously set into operation, thereby tending to prevent the simultaneous delivery of balls from both of said side by side machines onto said common ball return runway,

RUPERT E. RUNDELL. GUSTAF E. HAGQUIST.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED-STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,068,131 Holland July 22, 1913 1,073,431 Makray Sept. 16, 1913 1,190,650 Hedenskoog July 11,- 1916 1,375,835 Fairchild Apr. 26, 1921 1,468,212 Redfleld Sept. 18, 1923 1,816,405 Smith -1. July 28, 1931 1,896,383 White Feb. 7, 1933 1,987,000 Cahill Jan. 8, 1935 1,994,411 Thomas Mar. 12, 1935 2,060,569 Greenlaw Nov. 10, 1936 2,207,643 Strong July 9, 1940 2,232,545 Lum Feb. 18, 1941 2,319,925 Flanagan May 25, 1943 

